Mark Allen hit back strongly at criticism from Stephen Hendry, dismissing the pundit’s analysis as “nonsense” and insisting the modern game has evolved beyond Hendry’s era.
Allen, known as “The Pistol,” booked his place in the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship for the sixth time after a 13-9 victory over Kyren Wilson. He surged into a commanding 5-0 lead early on, although Wilson mounted a comeback to edge ahead 6-5 before Allen regained control.
During commentary, seven-time world champion Hendry questioned Allen’s cautious tactics, suggesting that such an approach would not be enough to win the title. Allen, however, was quick to reject that view, arguing that Hendry’s perspective is outdated and doesn’t reflect how the sport has progressed.
While acknowledging Hendry’s greatness and influence on his career, Allen pointed out that even legends are not immune to criticism, especially when judging from the commentary box without experiencing the pressures at the table. He emphasized that he would never apologise for doing everything possible to win frames, regardless of style.
Despite not producing his most fluent snooker, Allen expressed satisfaction with grinding out results and reaching the last eight without hitting top form. He noted that success at the Crucible is earned through resilience rather than aesthetics.
The match itself ended on respectful terms, with both players sharing a warm moment afterward. Allen praised Wilson’s quality, recognising why he sits among the top-ranked players in the world.
In a lighter moment during the contest, Allen even accepted sweets from a spectator after being distracted by the noise of wrappers joking that the treat may have inspired a brilliant 140 break.
Meanwhile, Wilson, a former world champion, also addressed criticism over his emotional celebrations in an earlier round. He defended his reactions, arguing that passion and the desire to win should never be questioned, particularly on snooker’s biggest stage.
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